Ballooning For Lost Sounds – 1894

The following newspaper article appeared in the Washington Standard, (Olympia, Washington), on May 18, 1894. It is unclear what results, if any, were learned from this experiment, which appears to be the first ever of its kind.

BALLOONING FOR LOST SOUNDS

Uncle Sam’s Aeronaut Will Find Out What Ails Boston’s Fog Horns

New York World

Thomas S. Baldwin, the aeronaut and gymnast, connected with the ballooning department of the signal service and war departments, has been ordered to Boston, where he will conduct a series of interesting and important experiments in aeronautics. Vessels approaching Boston can be heard through their fog horns 15 miles out at sea, but when within three miles off shore the sound of the fog horn whistle is absolutely lost. The question is, where does the sound go?

It is proposed to investigate the upper atmosphere at a distance of 3,000 feet in the hopes of ascertaining whether the sounds from the whistles and fog horns do not go upward, as Mr. Baldwin believes such sounds do. A monster balloon will be anchored to a government vessel, and will be allowed to ascend to any required distance by means of a wire cable worked by steam. The vessel will cruse about off Boston and neighboring points to a distance of 10 or 15 miles, and sounds will be made from whistles and horns. When within three or four miles of shore it is believed that the aeronaut in the balloon can ascertain whether the sound in getting lost ascends.

In the coil of wire that is attached to the balloon is a telephone wire, by means of which Baldwin will communicate with officials on board the ship. Major Livermore, of the government service with his staff, will assist the aeronaut in his work, which will probably occupy some months, and perhaps a year. After these experiments are concluded, Baldwin will turn his attention to experiments in war ballooning, for the benefit of the War Department.